Startups options moving to Dubai

By: Abdullah AlshalabiCo-founder of fishfishme.comand Wamda ContributorDate: Sep, 2013Twitter: @A_Alshalabi

Question In5What they do? Assistance with company registration, Space and plugging you in with the startup community in

DubaiMother Company/ Shareholders

An initiative by Dubai internet city

Office space? How much? 6-12 months for 1,000AED per monthLocation (description A Boutique Villa that fits around 12-15 startups (15min away from down town Dubai)Funding? NoYes/no, how much? Equity? They don't take equityProgram duration? The official announced duration is 3 months,but it can go up to 12months. Mentorship? Yes, but still not fully implemented Networking/events? Yes, they organize events sometimes. They have a great network with almost all Tech

Companies in Dubai Company registration? Total cost is around 1,200AED , they help and do most of the work for youVisas up to 4 visasOther logistics? A professional secretary from Dubai Internet City that helps with Visa and company

registrationsAccommodation/transportation

No

Training sessions YesHow long the program is running?

Less than 1 year. Startups are still flowing.

Total number of startups 10-15 startipsBest fits who? Best for startups that need helps with logistics (space and company registration). Not the best

fit for early startups that are seeking funding and coachingHow to apply? How long process takes?

Through website, yet the best way really is to get refrenced (an introduction from someone that knows someone that works there). If you don't know anyone, then apply online, book your ticket to Dubai, go to their office and meet with them personally. You need to show comtiment.

Current and previous startups

Doctorized.com, fishfishme.com, SnappApp, promomz app, travelervip.com

Website? Email? Phone? InFive.ae

Question SeedStartupWhat they do? An international startup accelerator, fudning early stage startups to grow. Part of

Techstars global networkMother Company/ Shareholders

Privately held

Office space? How much? Yes, FreeLocation (description DubaiFunding? YesYes/no, how much? Equity? USD20,000-25,000 for 10% equity stakeProgram duration? 3 monthsMentorship? Yes, access to a global network of mentorsNetworking/events? YesCompany registration? Will help with registration in Dubai or any other place the startup feel better fits

it needs. In Dubai registration might cost from 12,000 to 20,000AED depending on the type

Visas Depends on type of company registered, no special treatmentAccommodation/transportation

No

Training sessions Training session customized for each startup needs in all fields (marketing, business model, product market fit, legal…etc)

How long the program is running?

3 intense and productive months

Total number of startups More than 15 startupsBest fits who? Very early stage stratups with solid technical team and global ambitionHow to apply? How long process takes?

Online by answering 43 questions on this link http://www.f6s.com/seedstartupspring2013#programs/ajax-application

Current and previous startups Exa.io, Rasello.com, matchnurse.comWebsite? Email? Phone? www.seedstartup.com/, all applicaties and inquiries should go through the

website

Question Silicon OasisWhat they do? Help early tech startups and entrepreneurs setup their business in Dubai through funding,

mentorship, space and other servicesMother Company/ Shareholders

Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority

Office space? How much? Yes, 40,000AED for 1 seat including telephone and internet (60,000AED for 2 seats, 75K for 3 seats. 85K for 4 seats and 120K for closed office). All in annual basis

Location (description 15min away from down town Dubai

Funding? Yes

Yes/no, how much? Equity? USD80,000 for 20-40% equity, depending on valuation

Program duration? Depends, 6,9 or 12months. After that Silicon Oasis will help in raising more funding from VC's

Mentorship? Yes

Networking/events? Yeah lets of networking events, investors events

Company registration? The company registration cost is included in the office space cost the 40,000AED.

Visas 1 visa per seat

Other logistics? Secretary, Accounting, Marketing, legal advise

Accommodation/transportation

Not at the moment. Still they will help you by recommending some good places

Training sessions Yes, pitching training,

How long the program is running?

Around 2 years

Total number of startups four to five

Best fits who? Tech startups, scalable in Middle East, localised to the market

How to apply? How long process takes?

Online, attach simple business plan, how much you are looking for, 2 weeks they get back. Get a reference. For Venture funding only, you can contact dhorska@dso.ae

Current and previous startups

Nabbesh.com , mena.searchinmena.com, 2cvs.com

Website? http://www.dsoa.ae/ or www.siliconoasisfounders.com

Question i360accelaratorWhat they do? we take your idea from concept to investor-grade prototype in 120 days, plus 120 days of post-

acceleration support and fund raisingMother Company/ Shareholders Private companyOffice space? How much? Yes, a it’s a Co-working space where each startup gets a branded desk for 2 Founder/Cofounder

Location (description The Cribb Dubai, Al Quoz Ind-1, Al Manara St. 15/A.Funding? $24,000, 120 days 10-20%Yes/no, how much? Equity? 10-20%Program duration? 120 daysMentorship? Provided internally and externally (more than 100 mentors from Silicon Valley, Asia, Australia,

Europe, UK). Also we have Executives-In-Resident (Resident Mentors) Networking/events? Meetups, Social, Movie Nights, Sports CompetitionsCompany registration? Yes, they give support with admin and registration in Dubai or internationally depending on the

nature of the startup – local, regional or global.

Visas Yes providedOther logistics? They help with finding accommodation and settling down in DubaiAccommodation/transportation Yes provided (included)

Training sessions A lot of training sessions (business model canvas, pitching, sales and marketing, IP advisory, financial management, digital marketing)

How long the program is running? Close to 1 yearTotal number of startups Round-1 : 5 teams, Tech Backpack, at the moment 12 total, from Egypt, UK, Russia, Ukraine, 2 UAE

based teamsBest fits who? Idea stage, any type of startups in any market but have to be innovativeHow to apply? How long process takes?

Application is via: 1) Innov-A-Thons (Idea Competitions at different cities Worldwide) 2) Online Pitching. Scouting process is 3-months

Current and previous startups http://i360accelerator.com/#text-17Website? Email? Phone? www.i360accelerator.com info@i360accelerator.com, +9714.3197645

Strong enough to do it yourself

Question Going SoloWhat they do? NothingMother Company/ Shareholders You are by yourselfOffice space? How much? Between 6,000AED to 12,000AED. Working in co-working coffee

shops is not a bad idea (try The Pavillion, Make, or the Hub)Location (description Doesn't applyFunding? Try your family and friendsYes/no, how much? Equity? Doesn't applyProgram duration? Until you run out of moneyMentorship? If you are luckyNetworking/events? Use Meetup.com (Dubai Tech Nights is a good start)Company registration? The regular cost, go for Free Zone license that costs 12,000AED and

registration costs 5,000AED, then you'll need to rent an office in the Free zone probable with Dubai Internet City

Visas Each Visa costs 7,000AED if I remember correctlyOther logistics? Doesn't applyAccommodation/transportation Cheapest accommodation will be around 3,500AED/month.

Transportation will depend, read my post hereTraining sessions NopHow long the program is running? Until you run out of money or kicked out of the countryTotal number of startups Not sure how many tried it before, but not much succeededBest fits who? Unstoppable entrepreneurs How to apply? How long process takes?

Come with tourist visa and hustle

Current and previous startups www.shipandcollect.com/Website? Email? Phone? Goodluck!

Share this and help other startups make their decision

Good Luck :)